Social Justice Outreach Account of the Endowment Fund

Make checks payable to: First Unitarian Endowment Fund

On memo line:  Social Justice Outreach Account 

Purpose

To build funds that will be available through the years for First Unitarian to provide more and more significant service in Social Justice work. 

Background

In the very beginning of the Capital Campaign for renovation funds, in early 2000, there were a number of members who spoke strongly for a simultaneous campaign to create a Social Justice Endowment Fund.  The majority of the members feared that such a simultaneous campaign could negatively affect the Capital Campaign.  So, the dream of a Social Justice Endowment Fund was put on hold. 

Thanks to the tireless work of Chuck Schneider and the Endowment Trustees, with the revision of the church Endowment Fund in 2007 the Social Justice Outreach Account of the Endowment Fund was established.  And, it was immediately “christened” by the generous donation of $10,000.00 by Chuck Schneider.  We are indebted to Chuck for his vision and perseverance.   

Current Activity and Future 

We will work to remind congregants of this fund. We will encourage people to give gifts to it.  We will consider fund raisers to help build the fund.

 Contact 

Chair Endowment Fund

By-Laws of Endowment Document Pertaining Social Justice Outreach Account

 Section 4. Outreach Account.    

(a) Formation. There is hereby established as a separate account within the Endowment Fund,

      the Outreach Account, which will be subject to the specific provisions of this Section 4.  

(b) Assets.  The Outreach Account shall consist of the following:  

(1) All gifts described in Article III hereof which are specifically designated  for the Outreach

             Account, or with respect to which there is other evidence that the donor intended that

             the gift be restricted for purposes consistent with the uses described in Subsection (c)

             hereof; and    

         (2) All income, including dividends, interest and gains from all  investments credited to the    

               Outreach Account.  

(c) Uses of Funds. Funds in the Outreach Account shall be used for social justice projects that

the Church Board considers effective, legal, appropriate and consistent with the principles of Unitarian Universalism and the mission of the Church (“Outreach Purposes”).  In determining appropriate Outreach Purposes, the Church Board may consult with the Social Justice Committee, or other committees, the Minister, staff or other persons.  The Church Board may from time to time establish guidelines and procedures for determining appropriate social justice projects.  Such guidelines shall include the following:  

(1)     Social justice projects may be controversial, but shall be

consistent with the applicable income tax restrictions referenced in Article I, Section 2 hereof;   

(2)     Social justice projects should extend for fixed periods of time and open-ended commitments should be avoided;  

(3)     The larger the project, the greater the importance of careful planning, oversight and evaluation;   

                   (4) There is no restriction as to geographic location, and efforts may involve action,

                            construction of facilities, study, advocacy, or working with or through

                            organizations other than the Church; and  

(5)   Monies in the Outreach Account may be used to pay administrative and other incidental costs that are necessary and appropriate for a particular project.    

(d) Non-Extraordinary Distributions. For each Fiscal Year of the Church,

the Endowment Fund Trustees shall distribute to, or for the account of the Church for  Outreach Purposes determined by the Church Board, such amounts as may be requested by the Church Board, but not in excess of five percent (5%) of the market value of the Outreach Account (the “Routine Distribution Limit for Outreach Purposes”).   

(e) Extraordinary Distributions. Upon the written request of a Supermajority of the Church

         Board, the Endowment Fund Trustees  shall distribute from the Outreach Account to, or for

         the account of, the Church, for Outreach Purposes, such amounts in excess of the Routine

         Distribution Limit for Outreach Purposes (an “Extraordinary Outreach Account

         Distribution”) as shall be requested by the Church Board, subject to the limitation that in

         any Fiscal Year of the Church, Extraordinary Outreach Account Distributions may not

         exceed 25% of the market value